Blues' Ryan Reaves: Picks up hitting pace

Reaves delivered five hits over 12:37 of ice time in Monday's 4-1 win over Arizona.

Analysis:

Reaves has played a more controlled game this season, taking fewer penalties and not being so quick to seek out a body for the sake of the punishment, but he's picked up the pace in both categories of late. The man who leads the Blues with 209 hits (2.9 per game) and 92 minutes in penalties (1.28 per game) is averaging 4.6 hits and 1.8 PIM per game over the last eight. Reaves' activity is a sure sign we're getting closer to the playoffs.